Your twenties are like the rainy season for your finances: the perfect time to plant seeds that will grow into a harvest of financial security. Just as a farmer doesn’t wait until the dry season to prepare their fields, you shouldn’t wait until your thirties to start building wealth. Whether you’re a recent graduate from KIST, working your first job in Kigali, or running a small business in your district, the financial decisions you make before 30 will shape the rest of your life. And here’s the good news: you have time on your side. This advice is especially relevant in Rwanda’s context. According to Rwanda’s 2022 Population and Housing Census, the median age in the country is just 20 years, meaning half of all Rwandans are under 20, and the vast majority are under age 30. This makes Rwanda one of the youngest countries in the world, which means most people are at the perfect age to start building wealth. Why your twenties are your financial superpower Think of compound interest like planting a tree. A tree planted when you’re 22 has eight more years to grow than one planted at 30. In money terms, that extra time can mean hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of francs more in your pocket by retirement. But beyond the numbers, your twenties are when you’re building habits. The money patterns you create now (whether good or bad) tend to stick. So let’s make sure they’re working for you, not against you. The seven essential money moves before 30: 1. Open that bank account (and actually use it) If you’re still keeping all your money in mobile wallets or under the mattress, it’s time to graduate to a proper bank account. Yes, even if the minimum balance feels steep. Start with a basic savings account at your local bank or SACCO. Many SACCOs have lower fees and requirements than commercial banks, plus they understand the local community. Your money needs a safe, formal home where it can grow through interest. Pro tip: If bank fees worry you, look into youth accounts or ask about fee waivers for maintaining minimum balances. 2. Build your emergency fund, even if it’s just Rwf5,000 Life happens. Motos break down. Family members get sick. Jobs change. You need an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Start small. Even Rwf5,000 is better than zero. Put it in a separate account from your daily spending money. Treat it like it doesn’t exist until you really need it. Your goal? Eventually save three months of living expenses. But don’t let that big number intimidate you. Start with what you can afford today. 3. Invest in your skills The best investment you can make in your twenties isn’t stocks; it’s yourself. Whether that’s learning digital marketing, improving your English, getting certified in your field, or starting that online course you’ve been considering. In Rwanda’s growing economy, skills pay bills. The person who can speak three languages, use Excel, and understand social media marketing will always have more opportunities than someone who can’t. 4. Start contributing to your pension, even the minimum I know, I know. Retirement feels impossibly far away. But remember that tree analogy? Starting pension contributions in your twenties versus your thirties can literally double your retirement fund. If you’re formally employed, make sure you’re contributing to Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). If you’re self-employed or in informal work, look into voluntary pension schemes. Even Rwf10,000 per month adds up over decades. 5. Get serious about budgeting You can’t manage what you don’t measure. If you don’t know where your money goes each month, you’re flying blind. Create a simple budget that tracks: Income: Your salary, side hustle earnings, any other money coming in Fixed expenses: Rent, transportation, phone bills Variable expenses: Food, entertainment, clothes Savings goals: Emergency fund, future plans Use whatever works: a notebook, mobile app, or spreadsheet. The tool doesn’t matter; the habit does. 6. Build good credit habits early Even if you’re not ready for a loan today, start building positive financial behaviors that lenders notice. Pay your phone bills on time. Keep your mobile money transactions consistent. If you have any loans—even small ones—never miss payments. Your financial reputation follows you everywhere. Start building a good one now, and doors will open later when you need them for business, housing, or other major purchases. 7. Plan for one big goal Whether it’s buying land, starting a business, furthering your education, or getting married, pick one significant financial goal and work toward it systematically. Let’s say you want to buy a plot of land in five years. If good plots in your area cost Rwf3 million, you need to save Rwf600,000 per year, or Rwf50,000 per month. Suddenly, that massive goal becomes a manageable monthly target, or perhaps a stretch goal to aim for. Your money journey starts today Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be earning lots of money to start building wealth. You just need to start. The habits you build today—saving regularly, spending mindfully, investing in yourself—matter more than the exact amounts. Think of your twenties as the foundation of a house. You might not see dramatic results immediately, but every financial decision you make is laying bricks for the life you want to build. So start today. Open that account. Save that first Rwf5,000. Take that course. Your 30-year-old self will thank you. The author is a personal finance expert, speaker, author of 16 books including the New York Times bestseller “Zero Debt,” and the co-founder of TheMoneyCoach.net. She and her husband Earl Cox are expanding their financial education firm in Rwanda to support financial literacy, economic, and entrepreneurship initiatives. Money Moves is a bi-weekly column providing practical wisdom and strategies for building wealth and financial security in Rwanda’s evolving economy.
